|
The environmental interests
of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales led him recently
to make time during his short 3-day royal visit to take a
tour of Holywell, the main recreational area in the Blue and John
Crow Mountains National Park (BJCMNP). This tour coincided with the
15th anniversary of the Park and the
20th anniversary celebrations of the Park’s
managers, Jamaica Conservation and
Development Trust (JCDT).
Natural & Cultural Heritage Tour
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales flew in a Jamaica
Defense Force helicopter from Kings’ House to Newcastle and then
drove in a military vehicle to Holywell, located at 3,500 feet above
sea-level. There he was met by JCDT Board and staff members,
including Robert Stephens (Chairman), Comdr. Michael Rodriguez
(Deputy Chairman), Dr. Margaret Jones Williams (Director), Dr.
Parris Lyew-Ayee Jr. (Director), Susan Otuokon (Executive Director,
JCDT, Acting Park Manager) and Herma Nathan (Station Chief, Holywell).
Together they did a walking tour of Holywell, led by Susan Otuokon,
which allowed His Royal Highness to not only experience the area’s
natural and cultural heritage but also to be exposed to the
management programmes of the 193,000 acre National Park.
Wild Ginger
The first stop in the
tour was at the native tree nursery where Marlon Beale, the
Conservation Science Officer, explained how these trees are used in
reforestation. His Royal Highness asked questions about wild ginger,
an invasive plant species, and about the Park’s work in
rehabilitating the forest. There was a brief stop at the Oatley
Mountain Trailhead where JCDT Ranger, Ryan Love, pointed out the
value of this popular trail for bird-watching and educational tours.
The tour continued along the Blue Mahoe Trail, across to the Cabins
Road where Samuel Johnson, Chief of Corps, described the role of the
National Park's small team of rangers who patrol the area to
discourage illegal activities and promote environmental awareness.
Education, Farming, Soil
Erosion & Deforestation
His Royal Highness was also shown the Kids Discovery
Zone, financed by Grace Kennedy’s Jamaica International Insurance
Ltd., which provides opportunities for school children and community
members to receive environmental education. Susan Otuokon also
pointed out to His Royal Highness the importance of the education of
farmers in particular and the need for sustainable agricultural
methods. She revealed to him that this was particularly important as
the steep mountain slopes and poor soils are not well suited to
traditional agricultural practices which tend to promote soil
erosion and deforestation.
Cultural Entertainment
As the Blue Mountains mist swirled around, students from
Craighton Primary, Cascade Primary and Junior High School performed
cultural dances presented at the Misty Bliss festival last month,
some to the music of Bob Marley. The tour ended at the Holywell
Visitors' Centre where His Royal Highness participated in a Climate
Change Workshop and contributed to the discussions on the Park.
JCDT Response
When Susan Otuokon was asked what His Royal Highness
thought about his Holywell tour, she replied, “He was very
concerned about the destruction of our forests, as he noted that
they are the ‘air-conditioning’ for the Earth, helping to combat
climate change. He expressed admiration for our work, which he said
must be very difficult and frustrating at times. In the workshop, he
noted that people often offer only lip service towards sustainable
development when it is funds that are needed for conservation.”
JCDT Chairman, Robert Stephens, also stated, “We were
particularly happy to have His Royal Highness visit while JCDT was
celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Park and the 20th
anniversary of the organization. We were also pleased that he
offered to send a member of his UK team to assist JCDT in accounting
for the financial cost of environmental damage.
|
